Tue Dec 02 18:10:10 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the article and a news article rewrite based on it:

Summary:

Five members of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, have petitioned the Jammu and Kashmir High Court challenging the Ladakh Lieutenant Governor’s nomination of a Muslim member to the council. The petitioners, including Muslim and Buddhist council members, argue that the nomination violates the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Act of 1997, as the Act stipulates nominations from the “principal religious minorities.” They contend that Buddhists, not Muslims, are the principal religious minority in Kargil district based on the 2011 census data. They also claim the nominated member unsuccessfully ran for a council seat in 2023 for the political party currently in power at the Union/Centre.

News Article:

Ladakh Councillors Challenge Lieutenant Governor’s Nomination in Court

New Delhi – December 2, 2025 – Five members of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, have filed a petition with the Jammu and Kashmir High Court challenging Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta’s nomination of a Muslim member, Reyaz Ahmed Khan, to the council.

The petitioners, including LAHDC Chairman Mohd Jaffer Akhoon (National Conference) and executive councillors Kacho Mohammad Feroz, Aga Syeed Mujtaba Mussavi, Zakir Hussain (all Muslim), and Punchok Tashi (Buddhist), argue that the nomination contravenes the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Act of 1997. Section 4(2) of the Act allows for the nomination of up to four individuals from the “principal religious minorities” to the council.

The councillors assert that, according to the 2011 census, Buddhists, comprising approximately 14% of the Kargil population, represent the principal religious minority in the predominantly Muslim district (approximately 77% Muslim population). Therefore, they argue the nomination should have been from the Buddhist community. In 2024, two Buddists and one woman member were nominated to the Kargil hill council.

The petition also alleges that Reyaz Ahmed Khan unsuccessfully contested the 2023 hill council election on behalf of the political party currently in power at the Union/Centre. The case raises questions about minority representation and adherence to the LAHDC Act, setting the stage for a legal battle in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court.

The Hindu has reached out to the Lieutenant Governor’s office for comment but has not received a response as of publication.

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